Robert “Ted” Lomas, 79, of Dodge City, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at Trinity Manor Nursing Home in Dodge City, Kansas.
Ted was born October 9, 1942 to Ronald and Doris (Greaves) Lomas in a small village 30 miles East of London called Woodburn Green in England. He attended school at Corner Hall School in Crabtree Lane in Hemel Hempstead England where he completed his primary education. As a boy he loved to hangout with his siblings and friends along the Grand Union Canal, it was his favorite fishing hole. They would rise at dawn and sit for hours fishing. They would also help the barge operators open and close the locks along the canal, and then try to catch a ride up to the next lock on one of the barges. Ted loved sports growing up. He followed several Pro Football Teams, his favorite team was Arsenal that played in London.
On November 21, 1964, Ted married Marilyn Anne (O’Neal) Lomas at St. Mary’s Church in Hemel Hempstead, England. To this union they had two sons, David John Lomas and Darren James Lomas.
He worked in the newspaper world while in England as a printer. He was known as “The Paper Boy”. “Star, News, Standard that was my call. Selling the papers I gave it my all. The pubs on a Saturday was my port off call. Winter or Summer I was there first. Tips were much better during a rain. The cold wet weather being my gain. Star, News, Standard Boy that was my name.” In September 1977, Ted packed up his family and immigrated to the United States, they arrived in New York with five suitcases then flew to Wichita, Kansas. Arriving in Bucklin, Kansas, he went to work right away at the Bucklin Newspaper. In 1979, Ted obtained his United States of America Citizenship, something he was very proud of. Eventually, he found his calling in the agricultural world where he worked at Bucklin Grain, the Kingsdown Coop and the Right Cooperative Association before retiring in 2009. Even after retirement, Ted stayed involved in the agricultural business as a crop consultant for several farmers in the area until December of 2020. He also made new friendships covering many miles driving for Lopp Motors, picking up and delivering trucks and cars throughout the midwest.
Ted loved history and traveling. Many stories have been told of the countless vacations (camping trips) that were taken with his family across the country and the “red cooler”. He and Marilyn spent many hours visiting historical sites in England and the United States. Ted was an avid reader of books on World War I & II, the American Revolutionary War, and his favorite subject was the American Civil War. His travels took him to the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Mexico, Cozumel, Scotland, Wales, France, and Canada, as well as England many times to visit family. Good friends and memories were made in Bucklin, where many weekends were spent with friends’ playing cards and going to the lake. Ted loved his grandkids and enjoyed following them in their activities and sporting events.
He was a 3rd Degree Master Mason of the Masonic Lodge and was also on the 1987 Bucklin Centennial Committee.
Ted has survived by his wife of the home; his sons David (Leslie) Lomas of Dodge City, and Darren Lomas of Conway, AR; his grandchildren Ryan, Tryston and Brittany Lomas of Dodge City, and Taylor, Lauren, and Jayden Lomas of Conway, AR; a great-grandson Dax Lomas; brother Rod (Kath) Lomas of England, sister Elaine Sims of England, and half-brother Peter Greaves of England; sister-in-laws Linda (Tim) Edwards of Frisco, TX and Lise O’Neal of Dodge City; brother-in-law Les (Iris) Smith of Australia; nephews Chase (Lisa) Cossell of Bucklin, KS, Jared (Lyndsay) Cossell of Little Elm, TX, Martin (Sharon) Lomas, Ian Sims, Steven (Jennifer) Lomas, and Paul Lomas all of England; nieces Tracey Lloyd Lomasand Alison Wood of England; great-nephews Julian Smith of Australia, Sam Wood,Elliott (Lucy) Lomas, Edward and Joe Lomas, Jordan and Callum Lomas all of England; great-nieces Camdyn and GracynCossell of Little Elm, TX, Rush Cossell of Bucklin, Macie Cossell of Guymon, Oklahoma, Andrea Smith of Australia, Sally Wood, Jessica Lloyd, Imogen Lomas, Erin Lomas all of England; as well as countless friends and former colleagues. Ted was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Colin (Brenda) Lomas, and Michael Lomas; sister-in-law Margaret Greaves; and in-laws Fred (Vera) O’Neal.
Honorary Pallbearers will include Spike Cossell, Chase Cossell, Jayden Lomas, Tom Rabe, Ryan Lomas, Roy Lane, Les Smith, John Swartz, Tom Hornung, Jacob Stegman, and Gene Gaut. Readings by the family will include “Traveling Man” read by Granddaughter Taylor Lomas, “If” by Rudyard Kipling read by Grandson Tryston Lomas, and “Letter to Sarah”by Major Sullivan Ballou read by Nephew Jared Cossell.
Funeral service will be held at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Dodge City, on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 11:00 AM with Mr. Jeff Hiers presiding. Cremation has taken place, so no viewing will be held. Burial will be at later date. A book signing will be held on Friday, June 3, 2022 from Noon to 5:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of the funeral home.
